Home Logon FTA Investment Managers Blog Subscribe About Us Contact Us

Search by Ticker, Keyword or CUSIP       
 
 

Blog Home
   Brian Wesbury
Chief Economist
 
Bio
X •  LinkedIn
   Bob Stein
Deputy Chief Economist
Bio
X •  LinkedIn
 
  Housing Starts Declined 9.5% in April
Posted Under: Data Watch • Home Starts • Housing • COVID-19
Supporting Image for Blog Post

 
Implications: Housing construction pulled back in April after booming in March, though signs for continued strength in homebuilding can be seen throughout the report. Supply chain constraints for key inputs such as lumber – paired with difficulty in finding qualified workers – has stymied a faster pace of building, but robust demand means that order backlogs continue to grow.  The pace of activity will ebb and flow as the recovery continues, but we expect housing starts to remain in an upward trend.  Why the confidence?  Building permits for future construction remain near the highest level since 2006.  Moreover, permits have now outpaced new construction for fourteen consecutive months. This has resulted in a backlog of projects that have been authorized but not yet started, which stands at the highest reading since the series began back in 1999.  As we mentioned in a recent Monday Morning Outlook, there has been a long running deficit in new home construction.  The US needs roughly 1.5 million housing starts a year based on population growth and scrappage (voluntary knockdowns, natural disasters, etc.), but we haven't built that many new homes in any calendar year since 2006.  Now, with plenty of future building activity in the pipeline and builders looking to boost the inventory of homes as well as meet consumer demand, it looks likely that construction in 2021 will surpass the 1.5 million unit benchmark.  This positive outlook is reinforced by yesterday's NAHB index, a gauge of homebuilder sentiment, which remained at a robust reading of 83 in May. Strong consumer demand for homes and low mortgage rates are helping offset impacts from rising materials costs.  In recent news on the manufacturing front, the Empire State Index, a measure of New York factory sentiment, fell to a still strong +24.3 in May from the multi-year high of +26.3 in April.  One notable detail of the report was the continued rise in costs, with the prices paid index hitting the highest level since recording began back in 2001.  It seems no matter where you look – from housing to cars, metals to labor – inflation pressures continue to build.  Don't expect that to abate any time soon.

Click here for a PDF version
Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 @ 11:46 AM • Post Link Print this post Printer Friendly

These posts were prepared by First Trust Advisors L.P., and reflect the current opinion of the authors. They are based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. Opinions and forward looking statements expressed are subject to change without notice. This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security.
Search Posts
 PREVIOUS POSTS
Unsustainable
Industrial Production Increased 0.7% in April
Retail Sales Were Unchanged in April
COVID-19 Tracker 5/13/2021
COVID-19 High Frequency Data 5/13/2021
The Producer Price Index (PPI) Rose 0.6% in April
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) Increased 0.8% in April
Recovery Tracker 5/11/2021
Biden and Powell Versus Summers and Dudley
COVID-19 Tracker 5/7/2021
Archive
Skip Navigation Links.
Expand 20242024
Expand 20232023
Expand 20222022
Expand 20212021
Expand 20202020
Expand 20192019
Expand 20182018
Expand 20172017
Expand 20162016
Expand 20152015
Expand 20142014
Expand 20132013
Expand 20122012
Expand 20112011
Expand 20102010

Search by Topic
Skip Navigation Links.

 
The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.
Follow First Trust:  
First Trust Portfolios L.P.  Member SIPC and FINRA. (Form CRS)   •  First Trust Advisors L.P. (Form CRS)
Home |  Important Legal Information |  Privacy Policy |  California Privacy Policy |  Business Continuity Plan |  FINRA BrokerCheck
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved.